PNG Barramundi hit historic win

THE Papua New Guinea Barramundi’s made history yesterday as they claimed a historic four-wicket win over Southern Force in their fourth SACA Premier League match in Darwin.

Vice captain, Jack Vare had to stand in after skipper Chris Amini failed to recover from an injury suffered during the week.

Southern Force won the toss and decided to bat and the decision soon backfired when new ball pairing of Raymond Haoda and Willie Gavera claimed the first three wickets in quick succession to have the Force reeling at 3/6.

Cullen Bailey and Cameron Bor­gas then weathered the storm to establish a 51-run partnership and were looking comfortable before Pipi Raho broke through to have Bailey caught at third man.

Borgas started re-building another partnership with former Australian Under-19 representative Theo Dor­opoulous and were looking to hit on during the power play before a double blow saw both batsman dismissed by Mahuru Dai to have them at 6/120.

Charles Amini then took the seventh wicket and that was followed by a direct hit to have Force in even more trouble at 8/145.

Haoda returned to clean up the tail and dismiss the Southern Force for 165.

Haoda was the star with the ball, with impressive figures of 4/33 (9.5 overs), with fellow opening partner Willie Gavera continuing his good form with 1/19 (9 overs).

They were doing it easy before Ura (19) mistimed a drive down to third man with the score on 29.

Vala soon departed for 17 and it was Charles Amini and Jason Kila who got through to the first drinks break with the score at 70 before a double blow saw Amini followed by Vani Morea head back to the pavilion with the score on 84.

Kila then paired with Mahuru Dai and got the run chase back on track.

He hit an important 38-run partnership before Kila was dismissed for 32.

Jack Vare departed soon after to leave the game in the balance at 6/135.

Dai (pictured) then ensured victory with an unbeaten 47 and Andrew Hicks was unbeaten on 10 to hand the Barras victory by four wickets.

The Barramundi take on the undefeated Eastern Edge tomorrow at Marrara.